Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a Birth Defect?

A birth defect is when there is a problem with the baby growing in the mother’s body. Birth defects can affect how the body works and looks. They can be very minor or so serious the baby will need surgery or potentially die.

When during pregnancy do birth defects happen?

Most birth defects happen within the first 3 months of pregnancy, some even before a woman knows she’s pregnant. Most of the baby’s organs are developing during those first 3 months, so prevention is absolutely critical, even if you are just trying to get pregnant. During the last 6 months of pregnancy many of the body’s tissues and organs are continuing to grow so they can still be affected by many substances.

What are the chances that my baby will be born with a birth defect?

3% of babies in the United States are born with birth defects. Some of these cannot be prevented, however some of them can. Pregnant women should ask their doctor what medicines to stay away from while they are pregnant because many prescription and over the counter drugs can increase the risk of a baby being born with a birth defect.

Does alcohol cause birth defects?

In short, YES! Alcohol can cause a variety of birth defects that fall under the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Does smoking cause birth defects?

Smoking can increase the risk of many birth defects such as cleft palate, cleft lip, limb defects, clubfoot, certain heart defects, gastroschisis, and imperforate anus. Smoking also increases the risk for premature birth, stillborn birth, and baby dying during the first year of life.

Do illegal drugs cause birth defects?

The use of illegal drugs while pregnant increases the risk of having a premature baby. Many drugs, like cocaine, can increase the likelihood of babies having birth defects in the limbs, kidneys, heart, gut, and urinary system.

Can the MMR vaccine cause birth defects?

The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine is a life vaccine, which means that while the virus in the vaccine is extremely weak it can cause disease, especially if the immune system of the person receiving the vaccine is compromised. For this reason, pregnant women should not have the vaccine unless there is a high risk of her getting one of the three diseases. It should be noted that vaccines that are made with dead viruses are completely safe for pregnant women. If in doubt ask your doctor.

What can I do to have a healthy pregnancy?

Plan

• See your doctor before getting pregnant
• Get any medical condition (obesity, diabetes, seizures, etc.) under control before getting pregnant
• Take a vitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid daily before and during pregnancy

Take care of yourself

• Get plenty of rest
• Exercise moderately
• Eat a well-balanced diet
• Avoid contact with chemicals and other things in the home and at work that may harm an unborn baby
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and street drugs
• Talk with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter drugs

What kind of physician can tell me what caused my baby’s birth defect?

Generally your child’s primary care provider is their pediatrician or your family’s general physician. This doctor should be able to find out what caused the birth defect. Your child’s first exam will include a lot of questions about the history of the pregnancy, and possibly some testing. If your child’s physician cannot discover what the cause is you may be referred to a specialist. Be aware that sometimes the cause of a birth defect is never discovered.

What is the CDC doing to prevent and help find the causes for birth defects?

The CDC is always conducting research to discover causes of birth defects. They have researchers that specialize in certain areas as well as epidemiologists that study all birth defects. The CDC also works with doctors, the media, schools, and other health officials to prevent birth defects through different programs and education.

Questions adapted from Weitz and Luxenberg and MedicineNet